The question often arises whether LSU freshman shortstop Alex Bregman is actually human, and from the way the underclassman has performed in his 2013 campaign, the inquiry is valid.
By looking at his numbers, some might say he’s a machine in the batter’s box.
Bregman is currently riding a 21-game hitting streak, where he is 46-for-90 (.511 batting average) with 22 RBIs, 29 runs, eight doubles, five triples and seven walks. He has had multi-hit performances in 16 of those 21 contests.
The Albuquerque Academy product has exceeded the expectations set by members of the media, but his teammates predicted he’d be a star for the Tigers.
“I’m not surprised [by his production],” said senior first baseman Mason Katz. “He’s such a good hitter. The guy sees all pitching the exact same. It doesn’t matter if guys are throwing 95 or 85, he sees everything the same, and that’s why he’s so good.”
Bregman said he doesn’t try to think about the hitting streak when he steps to the plate, but something that is more important.
“The times that I think about [the streak], I end up only getting one hit instead of two,” he said. “When I don’t focus on that and just focus on winning, I do fine. I don’t ever really worry about [the hitting streak]. I just worry about winning games.”
LSU coach Paul Mainieri inserted Bregman into the No. 3 slot in the batting order on opening day, and the freshman hasn’t moved from the spot since. He hasn’t been intimidated by the pressure of being in the heart of the Tigers’ order.
Rather, he’s thrived in it, hitting for a team-leading .439 batting average with three home runs, 34 RBIs and a .478 on-base percentage.
Nineteen of Bregman’s 60 hits in 2013 have been for extra bases, essentially setting the table for the veterans who trail him in the lineup.
“Alex Bregman is having not just a freshman All-American season, but an All-American season,” Mainieri said. “Bregman has seamlessly made the transition to college baseball. He’s been the guy who has really made a difference for our team.”
The underclassman’s work ethic has been applauded by the likes of his head coach and fellow teammates. Bregman is adept at slapping the ball to right field, a quality that is acquired through countless swings in the batting cage during practice and before games.
“He works so hard, and he deserves [the success],” Katz said. “He comes out here every day and goes down to the cages to make sure he’s doing everything.”
Bregman attributes his success to that extra work off the diamond.
“[My work in the batting cage] is huge,” he said. “I feel so confident when I’m in there now. The game is slowing down a lot. I know I’ve put in the work, and I deserve to be successful, and I feel like that’s why I am successful.”
“I feel so confident when I’m in there now. The game is slowing down a lot. I know I’ve put in the work, and I deserve to be successful, and I feel like that’s why I am successful.”
